Body of man found in rubble of Darlington building fire

The body of a man has been found among the rubble of a unit block which was engulfed in fire in the inner city on Wednesday morning.

The body of a man has been found among the rubble of a unit block which was engulfed in fire in the inner city on Wednesday morning.

NSW Fire and Rescue said the man’s body was located on the top level of the Darlington block after the fire, which broke out just after 8am, was extinguished and a search for the missing man was carried out.

More than 30 firefighters worked to contain the blaze which began in a third-floor unit, on the corner of Abercrombie and Ivy streets.

Superintendent Adam Newbery said investigators tragically discovered the man’s body at lunchtime. His next of kin has been informed.

The large fire was in a residential building close to busy Redfern Station.

Firefighters responded just before 8am to the burning unit complex on Abercrombie St in Darlington.

Ten firetrucks and up to 30 firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, which developed near Redfern train station.

Emergency services attend to a unit block fire on Abercrombie st, Redfern near Lawson St. Picture: Adam Yip

NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the building sustained structural damage and firefighters had to move through the area with care.

“The roof has come in so there is some structural damage up and around that area,” Superintendent Dewberry said.

Up to 30 firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. Picture: Adam Yip

“It’s making our firefighting operations a little more dangerous.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Superintendent Dewberry said his crews extinguished the blaze before they searched the property.

“There’s a unit on fire on the third level of a unit block,” Superintendent Dewberry said while the fire was still burning.

“We’ve got about 10 firetrucks on their way or on scene now with about 30 firefighters.

Emergency services are still searching for one resident. Picture: Adam Yip

DARLINGTON | @FRNSW Abercrombie Street, building fire in progress, multiple crews at work in an offensive firefighting mode.

— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) August 29, 2023

“They’ll be working to cut that fire off and do a search of the property while they get on top of this fire.”

The building is a residential apartment complex with a cafe on the bottom level.